Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route

Arrive today at Kilimanjaro International where you will be greeted and transported to your hotel in Arusha. Upon arrival, your guide will make sure you feel at home. Arusha is a bustling city overflowing with culture and sites. Today you will have an opportunity to explore the sites and buy a few souvenirs. This evening you will rejoin with your team for dinner and prepare for the exciting trek that begins the following morning.

• Starting Elevation 5,380 feet
• Camp Elevation 9,350 feet
• Elevation Gain: 3,970 feet
• Hiking Time: 5 to 7 hours
• Distance: 7 miles

After an early breakfast in Arusha proceed to Machame Gate to meet your porters, guides, and cooks that will spend the next seven days trekking with you to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. The drive through coffee farms and villages to Machame Gate takes just under an hour.

Begin hiking with your guides to Machame Camp, the destination for your first day of hiking. For the first three kilometers, hike along a track that passes through the moss-covered trees of Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. Soon you will then reach a signpost that marks the beginning of the mountain trail. Continue on through the cloud forest for another 1.5 hours until you reach a clearing to stop for a picnic lunch overlooking the spectacular forests of Tanzania.

After lunch, hike through the cloud forest for another hour before leaving the forest for the scrubland. As the forest thins, the vegetation will change to include heathers, tall grasses and many species of wildflowers. Take in breathtaking views of the surrounding area and your ultimate destination, Kibo Peak. Continue on for another half an hour before reaching Machame Camp for hot tea and snacks.

• Camp Elevation 12,500 feet
• Elevation Gain: 3,150 feet
• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
• Distance: 3 miles

Although considered to be the easiest day on the Machame Route, the route includes several strenuous uphill sections. Walking through exposed heather and moorland, stop along the trek to view the Shira Cathedral and the superb Bivi Cave. Along this section of the trail there also are several viewpoints from which you can see the plains and forests below and Kibo and Mawenzi peaks above.

As you gain altitude, the vegetation changes; the trees diminish in size, giving way to Kilimanjaro’s famous high altitude plants, Scenecio kilimanjari and Lobelia deckenii.

After eating lunch, you will climb the Shira Plateau, created when the now-extinct Kibo volcano’s lava flows filled up the Shira crater. Continue for another thirty minutes to Shira Camp, where you will relax for the rest of the day.

Photo Credit: Dann Landau-Gahres

• Camp Elevation 13,044 feet
• Elevation Gain: 2,690 feet
• Elevation Loss: 2,146 feet
• Hiking Time: 4 to 7 hours
• Distance: 10 miles

Although this up and down day ends with an elevation gain of only 550 feet, by early afternoon you will have climbed 2,690 meters to a height of 15,190 feet before beginning your descent to Barranco Camp. Today is crucial for acclimatization.

After breakfast, continue east on the Shira Plateau for two hours before reaching the junction for Shira and Lemosho Routes. Continue on through the barren landscape for another half an hour before stopping for lunch. Shortly after lunch you will reach the highest point of the day before descending quickly to Barranco Camp.

From the high point, you can see Lava Tower, a 300-foot lava formation jutting out of the mountainside. Barranco Camp is considered to be the most scenic campsite on the Machame Route. From the campsite you will see magnificent views of Mount Meru, Heim Glacier and Kibo’s southern face.

Leave Barranco Hut after an early breakfast to begin the hike to Karanga Camp. The day begins with an hour and a half scramble up the Barranco Wall. This is the hardest part of the day and in some places you will have to use your hands to pull your body up.

After reaching the top, make a short descent into the greener Karanga Valley. Our camp sits at the edge of the Karanga Valley, below Kilimanjaro’s glaciers.

• Camp Elevation 15,091 feet
• Elevation Gain: 1,985 feet
• Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours
• Distance: 3 miles

Leave Karanga Camp after an early breakfast to begin the short hike to Barafu Camp. On the way to Barafu, see several of Kibo’s glaciers as well as the junction that connects our descent route, the Mweka trail, with the Machame trail.

Today, hike by the Heim, Kersten and Decken Glaciers. The way to Barafu is serene alpine desert with little vegetation and Barafu Camp offers stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks, and Rebmann Glacier.

• Summit Elevation 19,340 feet
• Elevation Gain: 4,420 feet
• Elevation Loss: 9,275 feet
• Final Camp Elevation 10,075 feet
• Hiking Time: 11-12 hours
• Distance: 11 miles

At midnight you will begin your ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. For the next six hours, you will hike by flashlight or headlamp. The Machame ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire six-day trek. For much of the hike you will walk on a gravel slope that causes you to slip back slightly with every step forward. The going is extremely slow until you reach the crater rim at Stella Point.

The hike from Stella Point to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike a psychological battle, and you will need to go very slowly to reach the top. Your guide will advise you on how to make the hike easier. The crater rim hike takes about forty-five minutes and you should reach Uhuru Peak at sunrise.

Enjoy a sunrise breakfast on the peak, before beginning your descent. On the way down from Uhuru you will enjoy breathtaking views of the mountain, crater, glaciers and Tanzania. At Barafu Camp, eat breakfast, take a short break, and then trek the rest of the way to Mweka Camp.

Photo Credit: Dann Landau-Gahres

• Elevation Loss: 4,685 feet
• Final Elevation: 5,380 feet
• Hiking Time: 3 hours
• Distance: 6 miles

After breakfast you will finish the trek with a descent to Mweka Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through the enormous trees of the cloud forest. Our Safari vehicle will be waiting at the lower station of Mweka Gate to take you back to Arusha, where you will receive your Summit Certificate.  We will return to Arusha this afternoon where you will spend a final afternoon picking up last-minute items and preparing for your flight home the next day.

After a hearty breakfast, some of us will set our sites on the airport to return home, while the rest of us set our compass dials toward the Serengeti. Those returning home will have an early morning shuttle to the airport. Those staying in Tanzania for the next part of our adventure will depart for the safari at 8:00 AM. This is Day 1 of the safari itinerary.

We offer adventures for everyone, no matter what your skill level. This guide will help you decide which trip is right for you.

• Activity

  How long (in hours) you may be active every day during the trip.

• Distances

  You should feel confident that you would be able to complete these distances every day of your trip.

• Surfaces

  What types of terrain you may encounter and should be prepared for on your trip.

• Elevation Change

  The largest elevation change you may encounter on your trip.

• Altitude

  The highest elevation you may reach on your trip.

Welcome to the outdoors! These trips are designed to introduce you to new challenges and new adventurers. Take in the scenery, tackle moderate elevation, experience some local flavor, and enjoy your day out of the office.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for one to two hours. To prepare, walk around your neighborhood for at least one hour to make sure you’re comfortable being outdoors and active.

• Distances

  For our Level 1 trips, you’ll be walking or hiking less than three miles. This is the equivalent of up to twelve laps around a quarter-mile track.

• Surfaces

  You’ll be walking on flat terrain. This means there will be limited rocks and a few tree roots.

• Elevation Change

  There will be little or no elevation change on this trip. To simulate the change in elevation, try walking up and down three flights of stairs.

• Altitude

  From sea level to 3,000 feet.

Level 2 trips complement introductory activities you would encounter on Level 1 trips and will whet the appetite of anybody looking to explore outdoor sports. Your group may stop occasionally to learn about the natural surroundings and their local lore.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for two to three hours. Take a long walk around your local park for at least two hours to prepare.

• Distances

  Level 2 trips range from two to four miles. This is approximately eight to sixteen laps around a quarter-mile track.

• Surfaces

  You’ll be walking on mostly flat terrain and may encounter some rocks and tree roots.

• Elevation Change

  There will be minimal elevation change on this trip. We will gain no more than 500 vertical feet.

• Altitude

  From sea level to 3,000 feet.

Level 3 trips will give you a broad sense of what hiking is all about. Test yourself on intermediate terrain, including light rock scrambles and ascending multiple peaks. The trips will invigorate you and inspire you to continue strengthening your hiking skills.

• Activity

  Three to five hours is standard. Prepare for the trip by jogging three miles or exercising two or three days a week.

• Distances

  Plan on getting starter miles under your belt. You’ll be hiking three to six miles on this trip, the average distance run in an hour-long basketball game.

• Surfaces

  You’ll be hiking on rolling terrain with bare rock surfaces, steeps, roots and small boulders.

• Elevation Change

  There could be up to 1,000 feet per day.

• Altitude

  Up to 4,500 feet.

Level 4 trips balance physical and aesthetic components of the day. Get your heart pumping on intermediate terrain with some rock scrambles and multiple peaks, then enjoy a well-earned break with a stunning view. These trips are effective preparation for even more challenging weekend-long trips.

• Activity

  Trail time ranges from for four to six hours. You should be in good physical shape and exercise at least three times a week to get the most out of the day.

• Distances

  You’ll be traveling five to eight miles on this trip, the average distance run in an hour-long soccer game.

• Surfaces

  You’ll be hiking on steadily rising terrain with loose rock surfaces, switchbacks, roots and small boulders.

• Elevation Change

  Up to 1,500 feet per day.

• Altitude

  Up to 6,000 feet.

Level 5 trips place greater emphasis challenging you physically. Whether you’re still new to the scene or have some experience, you’ll appreciate a more deliberate pace with a capable group.

• Activity

  We’ll be out on the trails for five to seven hours. Prepare for this trip by doing cardio and strength exercise at least three days a week.

• Distances

  Be ready to cover six to nine miles today before heading home.

• Surfaces

  We’ll be hiking on moderate mountainous terrain, which may require navigating various rock faces and trail conditions including steep inclines and uneven ground.

• Elevation Change

  Up to 1,800 feet per day.

• Altitude

  Up to 8,000 feet.

Level 6 trips will push you with a faster pace and longer distances. This hard work allows you to see more terrain and higher vistas. You should expect to be tired and fulfilled on the van ride home.

• Activity

  We’ll be active for five to eight hours. Prepare for this trip by maintaining your daily fitness regime that includes both cardio and strength.

• Distances

  Be ready to cover some serious distance. We may hike up to eleven miles today, nearly a half-marathon.

• Surfaces

  We’ll be hiking on varying mountainous terrain, which will involve navigating various rock faces, loose stones, and steep, uneven trails.

• Elevation Change

  Up to 2,000 feet per day.

• Altitude

  Up to 10,000 feet.

On Level 7 trips you’ll encounter some of the steepest elevations and technical terrain available within a day’s drive. These trips are for athletic types and those who wish to push their physical abilities.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for six to eight hours. You can best prepare for a Level 7 trip by maintaining your intense fitness regimen, trying to get your mile time below eight minutes, and hiking consistently on the weekends.

• Distances

  Level 7 hikes can be anywhere from ten to thirteen miles.

• Surfaces

  We will be on mountainous, exposed terrain and steep, uneven trails. Most hikes will require not only hiking boots but also additional gear like hiking poles and headlamps.

• Elevation Change

  Up to 2,500 feet per day.

• Altitude

  Up to 12,000 feet.

On Level 8 trips you’ll be challenged by some of the steepest elevations and technical terrain available on the east coast. These trips are for endurance athletes and those who wish to truly test themselves. These are our hardest day trips and our weekend trips that prepare you for international adventure.

• Activity

  We will be active for six to nine hours. You can best prepare for a Level 8 trip by maintaining your intense fitness regimen, trying to get your mile time below seven minutes, and hiking consistently on the weekends.

• Distances

  Level 8 hikes range from twelve to fourteen miles.

• Surfaces

  We will hike and scramble up numerous peaks with exposed, uneven surfaces, large boulders, and steep ascents/descents. Hiking boots, poles and headlamps are recommended.

• Elevation Change

  There could be elevation change of up to 3,000 feet per day and possible altitude.

• Altitude

  Up to 14,000 feet.

If you yearn to touch the sky and think the rewards outweigh the risks and extreme conditions, a Level 9 trip is what you’re looking for. Over the course of multiple days you will be called upon to prove you belong among the best. Only inner fortitude and perseverance will get you and your team to the top and back safely.

• Activity

  You should be ready for at least eight to ten hours a day of pain, challenge, and constant small victories. Prepare for this by racing in triathlons, training for a marathon and keeping up your hiking skills.

• Distances

  You should expect to be hiking twelve to fifteen miles per day. 

• Surfaces

  On Level 9 trips you will be trekking in remote mountains with exposed terrain and loose features.

• Elevation Change

  There could be elevation change of 4,000 feet per day with some altitude travel likely.

• Altitude

  Up to 17,000 feet.

With the proper technique, experience, and a generous dose of luck, you and a team of the hardiest adventurers around will tackle extreme terrain, unrelenting elements, and improbable odds as you strive to conquer the ultimate outdoor challenge of our Level 10 trips.

• Activity

  You should be ready for a minimum of ten hours per day of excruciating hiking, scrambling, and climbing.

• Distances

  You should expect to be hiking for at least twelve miles per day. Prepare with an intense cardio and weight-lifting circuit training regimen to increase cardio output and endurance.

• Surfaces

  On Level 10 trips you will be trekking in the most highly exposed, remote terrain imaginable.

• Elevation Change

  There could be elevation change of 5,000 feet per day and prolonged travel at altitude.

• Altitude

  Up to 19,000 feet.